Whyalla Steelworks

In reply to the Hon. F. PANGALLO ().10 September 2024).

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries): The Minister for Infrastructure and Transport has advised:

On 19 February 2025, the state government took decisive action to place OneSteel Manufacturing—the owner of the steelworks—into administration. This has provided certainty of payment going forward to goods and service providers that are critical to keep the steelworks operating.

The administrator will now seek to stabilise the operations of the steelworks, and secure its long-term future. We consider this will need to involve selling it to a new owner who will have the means to invest in the transformation of the steelworks.

The Malinauskas Labor government has partnered with the Albanese Labor government to support a new owner to make long-term investments necessary to secure the future of Whyalla and Australian steelmaking.

Together, our governments will invest $2.4 billion to secure the future of the Whyalla Steelworks. This investment will include:

$100 million for immediate support for businesses, workers and the community.

$384 million to stabilise the steelworks by funding operations during administration.

$1.9 billion to invest in the steelworks' future, for upgrades and new infrastructure vital to ensuring the steelworks has a sustainable, long-term future.

Importantly, this does not just support the steelworks–it supports a vast number of local suppliers, small businesses owned and operated by South Australians, who rely on the future of the Whyalla Steelworks.

Our actions demonstrate the Malinauskas Labor government's prioritisation of sovereign steel manufacturing in South Australia and the town of Whyalla, now and into the future.